MC3-urban+ecology

Marsh Creek Site 3  Urban Ecology When conducting a study on the health of a watershed, the ecology of the environment must be a considered variable. The parameters observed for this study include a tree risk assessment as well as an observation of the the visual and biological factors. While conducting a survey of Marsh Creek site 3, we evaluated trees using the USDA Community Tree Evaluation guidelines. These guidelines are used to ascertain the risk of failure and hazard based on defects, the size of defective parts, probability of tree failure, probability of target, as well as various other factors.
 * __ Overview __**

While on site, 10 trees were picked that were most representative of the watershed. Upon examination of the trees half were found to have a high to extremely high probability of failure. The most common defect among the trees were poor tree alignment (leaning trees). Despite the high probability, the impact was found to be low due to the location of the trees in comparison to nearby buildings. Some trees along the bank were found to have severe undercutting with exposed roots as indicated in the picture below the chart.
 * __ Data Collected __**


 * Tree # || Species || DBH || Northing || Easting || Defect Code(s) || Probability of Failure || Size of Defective Part(s) || Probability of Target || Other Risk Factors || Description of Other Risk Factors ||
 * 1 || LITU || 204.98 || 3758563 || 743680 || na || 1 || 1 || 1 || 0 ||  ||
 * 2 || LITU || 218.44 || 3758563 || 743680 || na || 1 || 1 || 1 || 0 ||  ||
 * 3 || MAGR || 19.8 || 3758563 || 743680 || PTA, WBU || 3 || 2 || 1 || 0 ||  ||
 * 4 || MAGR || 12.7 || 3758563 || 743680 || PTA, WBU || 4 || 3 || 1 || 0 ||  ||
 * 5 || ACRU || 148.59 || 3758563 || 743680 || R || 3 || 3 || 1 || 1 || Undercutting ||
 * 6 || UNKNOWN || 20.32 || 3758563 || 743680 || PTA:LA, R, RGC || 4 || 3 || 1 || 0 || Trunk very twisted and crooked. ||
 * 7 || QUAL || 144.78 || 3758563 || 743680 || PTA, WBU || 4 || 2 || 1 || 0 ||  ||
 * 8 || LIST || 111.76 || 3758563 || 743680 || R || 1 || 1 || 1 || 0 || Undercutting ||
 * 9 || ILOP || 36.83 || 3758563 || 743680 || PTA:LT || 2 || 1 || 1 || 0 ||  ||
 * 10 || ACRU || 138.43 || 3758563 || 743680 || RGC || 2 || 3 || 1 || 0 || in danger of erosion ||



__** ‍Visual-Biological Factors **__ Site 3 is tucked back on the property of historic Glenridge Hall. Due to it's remote location, and the abundance of trees, the site is a prime location for local wildlife. During our observations, we enountered salamanders, and crawfish. We also found animal footprints belonging to a deer and another small animal (possibly racoon or oppossum). As the water level was relatively low, fish were not found. Another consequence of the site's location is the lack of liter found. The watershed was relatively clean. The only debris found came from nature and was in the form of leaves and twigs from fallen trees.
 * = [[image:watershed2012/MC%20%20Photo%207%2012%2030%20PM%206_21_12.JPG width="383" height="288" align="center" caption="Evidence of animal presence in watershed"]] ||= [[image:watershed2012/Deer%20print%20at%20marsh%20creek.JPG caption="Deer print in urban Marsh Creek Watershed"]] ||

Watershed Level Urban Ecology data can be found here. USDA Community Tree Evalutation forms can be found [|here.]

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